Homeplug/Powerline Networking

[Nicks951]

Hi all,
Looking to use a Homeplug/powerline setup to get my a/v stuff into the network.
Wireless is not quite fast enough for iPlayer in HD (Panasonic 55VT30). Mostly OK, but some stuttering sometimes.
So looking at 500Mbit homeplugs.
I plan to hook one into the back of my Sonos ZP100 - which has a 10/100 4 port switch built in.
Then take feeds out of that to the TV, BluRay and (eventually) Sky+HD box.

Does this seem OK?
I realise that the Homeplugs will be faster than the switch/router - should I get a little Gigabit router instead of using the Sonos?

Any advice/ideas welcome.
Cheers
Nick

[Smudger]

I would say you'd be fine with that. I've got 200Mbps homeplugs, and they do the job fine. They feed into a 10/100 switch, which works OK. Why not set it up, see if you're happy, then if it's still a bit slow, get a gig switch?

[Nicks951]

Thanks for the input Smudger.
I've just ordered a pair of Solwise 500 passthroughs for £25 each from broadbandbuyer
(a good deal I think)
See how it goes
Cheers
Nick

[abaxas]

Not to dampen your thunder....but...


Who knows what sort of throughput you will get, it all depends on your wiring.

[bledd]

Begrudginly, I use homeplugs.

I've got a pair of Solwise gigabit homeplugs.

Using the program Lan Speed Test, it says my throughput is around 10MB/s, so just under the speeds of a 100Mbit network. Pings are around 5-30 (it jumps up and down a lot during a ping -t test)

-The same program gives me 60MB/s on my actual gigabit network (limited by hard drive speed)


Overall, I'd say it's better than wireless for my HD videos on Media centre, they load quicker and I never have any throughput issues.

Wouldn't want to game on it though. You can beat a real cable

[abcsom]

I tried the homeplug 100mbit kit and it only gave 20mbit speed so was seriously disappointed with that but they where good in the sense of no setup required. It all depends on the wiring in your house as to the speed you will get. Just make sure if you get some you can return them if its poor speed. Tried wireless extenders and a lot of other things too but nothing worked as well as running a cat6 cable to the location. so much better and less hassle with worrying with speed/performance